The Thai army declared martial law throughout the country Tuesday in a surprise move that an aide to the embattled Prime Minister said the government did n't know about beforehand .

`` They took this action unilaterally . The government is having a special meeting regarding this . We have to watch and see if the army chief honors his declaration of impartiality , '' the aide said , describing the situation as `` half a coup d'etat . ''

Lt. Gen. Nipat Thonglek told CNN the move was not a coup .

`` The Army aims to maintain peace , order and public safety for all groups and all parties , '' a ticker running on the army 's television channel said . `` People are urged not to panic , and can carry on their business as usual . Declaring martial law is not a coup d'etat . ''

Martial law went into effect at 3 a.m. on Tuesday , the ticker said .

All Thai TV stations are being guarded by the military , Thai public television announced , showing pictures of soldiers and armored vehicles taking positions outside broadcast facilities in the country 's capital .

In a statement read on Thai television , the military declared that all of the country 's radio and television stations must suspend their normal programs `` when it is needed . ''

The dramatic announcements come days after the head of the army issued a stern warning after political violence had surged in the country 's capital .

Political tensions have been running high in Thailand . Supporters and opponents of the country 's government have staged mass protests in recent days , and earlier this month a top court removed caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office , along with nine cabinet ministers .

It 's too soon to tell whether the military 's declaration of martial law will ease tensions or heighten them , analysts said .

Thitinan Pongsudhirak , a political science professor , described the situation as `` very volatile . ''

`` This is a precarious time now for the army , '' he said . `` They have to be even-handed . ''

If the military appears to be favoring one side , he said , violence could escalate rather than cool down .

`` If it 's seen as favoring one side or the other side , then we could see more violence and turmoil against the military , '' he said .

Paul Quaglia , director at Bangkok-based risk assessment firm PQA Associates , described the situation as `` martial law light . ''

`` Right now the military has deployed troops around key intersections of the city . Traffic is a real mess here at the moment , but there 's no violence , '' he said . `` I think what the military is trying to do with this ... is to convince protesters to go home . They 're trying to dial down the tensions here as well as preempt several large rallies and strikes that were scheduled for later this week . ''

But what happens next will depend on how protesters react , he said .

`` The military is taking a step by step , gentle approach to see if they can get things to improve , '' Quaglia said . `` If not , they 'll of course have to ratchet up their actions . ''

Nipat said the precise restrictions of martial law were being worked out .

The government 's `` red shirt '' support base , many of whom hail from the country 's rural north and northeast , view Yingluck 's ouster as a `` judicial coup '' and have been protesting what they consider an unfair bias by many of the country 's institutions against their side .

Anti-government protesters are seeking a new government -- but not through elections , which the opposition Democrat Party has boycotted , arguing the alleged corruption of their political rivals makes widespread reform necessary before any meaningful vote can be held .

Increased government efforts to improve security are a positive step , Quaglia said .

`` That being said , martial law will not solve the political problems that continue to haunt this country , '' he said . `` The differences are stark , and I do n't think the military can step in and by force fix the political issues . ''

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Analyst : Military is trying to convince protesters to go home , `` dial down the tensions ''

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Government aide calls the situation `` half a coup d'etat , '' says military 's action was unilateral

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Thailand 's Army has declared martial law but stresses the move is not a coup

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Professor : The situation is `` very volatile ''